News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-03-17
Mr.. PHINEAS MARVEL,

Mrs. Hyde kept boarders. Mrs. HYDE
was little dried up widow, with a con-
stltutional headache and mild, meek
way of taking the world as it came to
her. For fifty years she had battled
against misfortune, until the warfare had
become second nature to her.
But there's one blessing that have
TO be thankful for" she would saw.
MI: Marvel has k pit true to me through
1t all as the needle to the pole"
From this 1t need not be inferred that
Mr. Marvel was a lover of the little
widow. Far from it. He was only her
best boarder-the boarder, who for half
score of yea had occupied her ''first
hoor front, and paid his bills as regu-
iarly as the Saturday night came around.
de was bachelor, as may be sup
posed-a man who was as full of whims
ana caprlces as an egg is of meat, vet
who carried kindly heart in his bosom
beneath it all.
But on this special Friday morning
his eyes bfazed wrathfully the tip of
his nose hung forth a crimson flag of
indignation, as Mrs Hyde came meekly
into his presence.
"a months warning, ma'am, was all
that he said
Mrs. hyde caught at the nearest chair
for support.
'tMr. Marvel, she gasped.
''Now, ma'am, it isn't at all worth
while to go through any scenes, said
the bachelor, callously. ~ am a prac-
ticle man, as you ought to know by this
time. And I'm not in the habit of vast
ing words. Put up bill. Advertise
Let your room as soon as you can, for
move out to morrow, although, as a
ken of respect for your many good
qualities, l shall pay my bills up to the
first of June"
la, Mr.. MARVEL" fai tly calculated
the widow. "How can l possibly have
offended you?"
ASK your own conscience, ma'am"
sternly retorted Mr. Marvel
Because ifit on acco- Mt of Patty
and her babies"
''itis precisely on that account, ma am
was walked last night by the scream
ing of child"
'It's cutting teeth, poor DEAR" in
terrupted Mrs HYDE.
''And this NOR ing on making IN
quiries," rel ntlessly went on the bach
elor. 'Ilearned that you had actually
taken in your widowed niece and her
twin babies? Twins ma'aml One
would have been enough-to much, in
fSt-but when it comes to twins"
Patty had nowhere else to go, sir
said Mrs. Hyde, apologetically, and she'll
be useful ar und the house. Patty's a
good girl, sir!''
81 dare say" said Mr. Marvel. sBut
4 ~ H. J,
as before remarked, put up a bill as
soon as you please
''Please, sir, I'll put Patty and the chill
dren on the top floor, where they can't
possibly disturb you, if"
81 tell you once for all, ma'am, that
I can't tolerate children, and 1 won'tl
Will you be kind enough to leave me
nowf'
So Mrs. Hyde went downstairs to
burst into tears. back of the pantry door,
when Patty Smith, with one twin tied
in the high chair and the other swarm
ing over the floor. like magnifed bee
tie, was beating eggs for the dinner Gus
tard.
''Aunty, what's the matter2" demand
ed Patty, still whisking vi orously away
ut the custard.
''He's going, my dear"
"Who2 Mr.. MarvelY'
''Yes +"
swell, let him go aunty," said Patty,
cheerfully. She was dimpled, pretty,
little lady, with pleasant black eyes, and
black hair parted low on her forehead
not quite twenty in spite of her widow
hood and her twins.
It's cheerful room-you'll sooD fill
s.But not wftffAssch man as Phineas
Marvel" groaned Ms. Hyde. 'Oh,
Patty, you don't know him.
81 know he must be a crustv old
piece, aunty, or he never would object
to the dear, darling little babies, said
Patty, with loving glance at the twins
''Dont fret now, thers's a dearl It'll
all come right, see if it don't I'll write
an advertisement myself, and take it
down to the newspaper Office this very
afterroonr'
So Mr.. Marvel packed up his goods
and left and Mrs. Hyde cried.
''lt seems such a pity" said she,
'iafter ten years
Don't mind it, aunty,n said the cour-
ageous Patty. 81 m sure he must be a
selfish creature, or he never would serve |
you so."
Hardly month hal elapsed when |
sourvisaged woman came to the HYDE |
house and requested an audience with |
the mistress thereof.
''You know old Marvel, 1 supposeYn |
said she.
Il know Mr.. Phineas Marvel, ; answer
ed Mrs. Hyde with dignity.
"Well, it's all the same" retorted she
of e acIdulated comtenance. Hes
boarded at our house three weeks and
fou. days. Hes down with the small.
poz.'
ooh my" CALCULATED Mrs. HYDE
'Poor dear soul. And who takes care
of him7"
That's just the very question:" said
the visitor. l can't. I've got my own
family, as never has had the small pox,
to think of-and the other boarders has
all cleared out, and the doctor don't
know of no one that would be willing
to undertake the risk. I'raps you could
comet"
NJ s. Hyde visibly recoiled.
"N mol" she answered. 81 would
rather not. rs you say yourself. it's
great ris to run, and"
''But Patty Smith. who had listened
10 silence heretofore, stepped forward.
iI'lI g., sunty," said she, w you'll